Fit: Sir Mick Jagger keeps up a strict training regime to help him manage the estimated 12 miles he covers on stage at a gig

Back in his 1960s heyday, he was idolised as the ultimate hellraising rock and roll rebel.

But Sir Mick Jagger’s anti-establishment credentials have been dealt something of a blow after the singer confessed he enjoyed meetings with the late Margaret Thatcher.

His admission that he relies on ballet to help him stay in shape might not do too much for his wild image either.

In a frank interview with Q Magazine, the 69-year-old appears to have revealed that he is a closet Conservative after decades of refusing to publicly disclose his political allegiances.

The Rolling Stones frontman, who was knighted in 2002, admitted having at least two one-to-one meetings with Lady Thatcher in the 1980s, and also revealed he was left stunned by the negative reaction to the former prime minister’s death this year.

The singer has also admitted being impressed by the Tory leader because she ‘didn’t change for anyone’.

He said: ‘I was slightly surprised by all the people that were still so anti her and had all this residual resentment.

'In the 80s or early 90s I met her a couple of times. I don’t want to talk about what we talked about, especially now that everybody else is blabbing about her.

‘But I reminded her that her first attempt at entering parliament was in Dartford, where I grew up.

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'I remembered her when I was ten or something and she was campaigning. She was called Margaret Roberts then.

‘She struck me as a peculiar politician. She was quite brittle. Most other politicians like to be liked.

'Most of them, even if you don’t like them before you meet them, are still likeable when you meet them, because that’s their gig – to be liked, and by people like me.

Meetings: Sir Mick met with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and reminded her that she had originally run as a Tory candidate in Dartford under her maiden name Margaret Roberts (pictured right in 1950)

‘And I know she had lessons to make her voice less strident, which is fine, but I don’t really think she changed for anyone.’

The star also revealed details of his tough fitness regime, which involves training up to six days a week in a bid to maintain his 28in waist and prepare him for the 12 miles he is estimated to cover during a typical stage show.

He swears by ballet to help his balance, and also studies yoga and pilates.

Friends in high places: Sir Mick met with Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s

Hellraiser: Jagger pictured in 1969 as the Rolling Stones played a concert to 250,000 fans in London's Hyde Park

His routine also includes running eight miles a day, swimming, kickboxing and cycling. The star’s workouts are masterminded by Torje Eike, a Norwegian personal trainer whose previous clients include Olympic athletes and national football teams.

Sir Mick said: ‘I train five or six days a week, but I don’t go crazy.

'I alternate between gym work and dancing, then I do sprints, things like that. I’m training for stamina.’

Ahead of a show, he says his routine involves ‘bed early the night before, about 2am. Up at 10am the next morning.

Any earlier, you’ll be too relaxed by showtime.’

The Rolling Stones are currently in the middle of their 50th anniversary tour, and are scheduled to play at the Glastonbury Festival and in Hyde Park this summer.

Sir Mick was born into a middle-class family, with his father, Basil ‘Joe’ Jagger, working as a PE teacher, and his mother, Eva, an active member of the Conservative Party.

However, he became a renowned anti-establishment figure in the 1960s as a result of his band’s hellraising behaviour, which included drug busts and sex scandals.